Jim McLaren

James McLaren (12 July 1897 – 16 November 1975) was a Scottish professional footballer. He played as a goalkeeper.

For the marathon runner and motivational speaker, see Jim MacLaren.

Jim McLaren
Personal information
Date of birth (1897-07-12)12 July 1897
Place of birth Falkirk, Scotland
Date of death 16 November 1975(1975-11-16) (aged 78)
Place of death Leicester, England
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Bonnybridge Heatherbell
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1919–1922 Stenhousemuir 37 (0)
1922–1927 Bradford City[1] 155 (0)
1927–1933 Leicester City[1] 170 (0)
1933–1939 Watford 194 (0)
International career
Scotland schools
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Born in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, McLaren was Scotland's goalkeeper in their first ever schools international match, against England.[2]

During his senior career, McLaren played in Scottish football for Bonnybridge Heatherbell and Stenhousemuir, initially in the Central League.[3] His last season at Stenhousemuir was 1921–22, the club's first ever season in the Scottish Football League.[4] In May 1922 McLaren transferred to English club Bradford City. He played for them for five seasons, before spending a further six at fellow Football League club Leicester City.[2]

McLaren joined Watford in October 1933, aged 36. Under the management of Neil McBain and latterly Bill Findlay, he made 194 appearances in the Third Division South, 14 in the FA Cup and 18 in the Third Division South Cup. Prior to McLaren's arrival, Watford's best finish in the division was sixth place. By contrast, during McLaren's five full seasons at the club, Watford finished fourth three times, fifth once and sixth once.[5] Aged 40, McLaren kept goal as Watford won the 1937 Third Division South Cup.[2][6]

McLaren died in Leicester on 16 November 1975, aged 78.[2]

References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 172. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  2. Jones, Trefor (1996). Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. pp. 156, 268–269, 286. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
  3. John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. "A brief history of Stenhousemuir Football Club". Stenhousemuir Football Club. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  5. "Watford history 1918 to 1945". Brown, Tony. Statto.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  6. Jones, Trefor (1998). Watford Season by Season. p. 96. ISBN 0-9527458-1-X.
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